Robin Clyfan: The Sea is Big Enough to Take It

Jumbled affair about a Yorkshire childhood

Robin Clyfan has had an unusual and fascinating life: growing up with his twin sister, they were raised in Yorkshire by politically active parents who were passionate about feminism and revolution. He covers his earliest and most ridiculous jobs, marching in London during a protest against the Iraq war, and the eventual and sorrowful death of his mother after a leukaemia diagnosis.

The Sea Is Big Enough to Take It is jumbled, badly structured and, sadly, simply not very funny. Clyfan seems understandably nervous and his delivery is too fast; both of which unfortunately leads to stumbled punchlines and tripped words. In moments, the show becomes an emotive ode to Yorkshire, and this is where the comedian is strongest. His realist yet often poetic language depicting his childhood in the North makes you wonder whether this show's concept would work better on paper.

Clyfan seems like a likeable performer who is just getting going with this debut show. It's moving at times, and there is definite potential in the strength of his writing. But he must work on his delivery and tighten up his punchlines.

Robin Clyfan / Heroes
Tender account of trying to impress an activist mum, while dressing as a baby for cash. Robin’s solo debut is a story of loss, pig racing, massive parties and the rebel hiding in all of us. Robin has appeared on BBC Radio 4 (The Now Show, Newsjack), Radio 6 Music (Jarvis Cocker's Sunday Service…